Alaska, considered America’s “last frontier,” is a vast and pristine wilderness waiting to be explored. It has everything—mountains, forests, tundra, glaciers, lakes, inlets, fjords, volcanoes, icebergs, and other spectacular landscapes. Whether climbing Denali, North America’s tallest peak, visiting one of the state’s three million lakes, or marveling at one of the 100,000 glaciers, Alaska promises endless adventure. This guide will take you through 15 of Alaska’s most breathtaking places—you’ll have to see to believe it.
Denali National Park & Preserve
Sightseers will want to visit Denali National Park and Preserve to see the tallest mountain in North America, Denali, formerly Mount McKinley, which soars at 20,320 feet. The park and preserve have forests at lower elevations, tundra in the middle, and glaciers at the highest. Visitors may see moose, bears, Dall sheep, caribou, and wolves. They can also stop by the sled dog kennel to see demonstrations.
Mendenhall Glacier (Juneau)
The Mendenhall Glacier is a 13-mile-long glacier that flows into Mendenhall Lake. Tourists can gaze at its sheer mass and beauty during a boat tour. This popular attraction is one of the few glaciers accessible in the southeast region. Sadly, the glacier has been shrinking since the mid-1700s. Interested parties should hurry to see one of the most breathtaking glaciers in the world before it melts.
Kenai Fjords National Park
The Kenai Fjords National Park is teeming with marine wildlife. It’s one of the best places in Alaska to see humpback whales, orca whales, sea lions, sea otters, and various seabirds. The fjords, or steep cliffs, that dip into the ocean are equally spectacular. The park also has a massive ice field, where most of its glaciers are. Located across from Seward, the landscape and wildlife are a must-see.
Glacier Bay National Park
Nature produces the most stunning sculptures, better than any known human sculptor—the ice formations at Glacier Bay National Park host some of Alaska’s most awe-inspiring glaciers. The park spans almost 3.3 million acres and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its diverse landscape of mountains, icy fjords, and glaciers. The location is also home to unique ecosystems, attracting researchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Along with Glacier Bay National Park, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to the second-tallest peak in the U.S., Mount St. Elias. At 3.13 million acres, it is the largest national park in the country and contains some of the state’s largest glaciers. Captivating as it may already be, the picture does not do the location justice.
Arctic Circle Road
Also known as the Dalton Highway, the Arctic Circle Road might be familiar to those who have seen Ice Road Truckers. The TV show followed truckers traversing Alaska in some of the harshest weather conditions. Extreme cold, snow, and ice make the 414-mile road challenging to travel, especially in winter. The route connects Fairbanks to Deadhorse, paralleling a portion of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Explorers should be careful when traveling.
Sitka’s Russian Heritage
Formerly known as New Archangel, Sitka had traces of Russia before the U.S. purchased the land in 1867. St. Michael’s Cathedral features a dome-like top, characteristic of Russian architecture. Other historic structures in the city include the Baronof Castle, Sitka Lutheran Church, and the Russian Bishop’s House, which is well-preserved and contains fascinating artifacts. Explore Sitka and discover how Russia and America are connected.
Talkeetna
Talkeetna, a word derived from its indigenous population meaning “river of plenty,” is a quaint town located at the base of Denali. It’s a popular starting point for mountain climbers gearing up to climb the continent’s highest peak. Other tourists come to go flightseeing, hiking, river rafting, and exploring the town’s historic district, which has a rich gold mining history. Since the town is an unincorporated territory, Talkeetna doesn’t have a city government and instead relies on the municipality across a large river for essential services. The mountainous backdrop here is incredible.
Chugach State Park (Anchorage)
The Chugach State Park boasts 280 miles of hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trails. Hikers can climb Flattop Mountain and get panoramic views of Anchorage, the Alaska Range, and Cook Inlet. On Eklunta Lake, tourists can partake in numerous water activities such as kayaking, fishing, paddleboarding, and camping. The park also has diverse wildlife—brown and black bears, Dall sheep, and beluga whales. The Chugach State Park is a day-trecker’s paradise.
Turnagain Arm
Turnagain Arm is a narrow waterway connecting Cook Inlet and the Gulf of Alaska. Kenai Peninsula sits to the south of the passage, and Anchorage is to the north. The bore tides in the area are dramatic, with waves reaching heights of 10 feet and speeds of 6 to 24 mph. The Seward Highway, running along the waterway, provides some of Alaska’s most stunning scenes. An abundance of wildlife and numerous hiking and outdoor opportunities abound.
Prudhoe Bay
Prudhoe Bay offers the most unique location on this list. The town is part of a vast and remote area famous for being the largest oil field on the continent. Oil was discovered in 1967 and has since been connected to Valdez via the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Despite the bountiful resources, animals like caribou, grizzly bears, and arctic foxes populate the area. The depressing landscape reminds us of humans’ impact on the Earth.
Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park is notable for its grizzly bears. In the picture, a photogenic bear shows us how it catches its dinner. Home to an abundant population, Katmai National Park is the place to see these magnificent creatures in action. The rest of the park is a volcanic landscape dotted with volcanoes such as Mount Katmai and Novarupta, whose 1912 eruption formed the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. In the summer, salmon trek upriver to breed, luring in all kinds of wildlife.
Utqiaġvik (Barrow)
Formerly known as Barrow, Utqiaġvik is the northernmost inhabited region in Alaska. The city is isolated from the rest of the state, as no connecting roads exist. The extreme cold adds to the challenge—the temperature is often below freezing, and there are long periods of darkness. However, it is home to a large Inupiat population. The Indigenous people have a rich history and culture, including fishing and whaling. Utqiaġvik is one of the best places in Alaska to immerse yourself in a foreign world.
Homer Spit (Kenai Peninsula)
The Homer Spit is a geological wonder located at the southernmost tip of the Kenai Peninsula. It’s a 4.5-mile-long, narrow strip of land that juts into Kachemak Bay. Surrounded by water, the area offers stunning ocean views. The harbor is a big fishing port with many docks lining the region. Despite its stark appearance, tourists can enjoy the town’s restaurants and hotels.
Prince William Sound
Prince William Sound is a sprawling area with almost four thousand miles of coastline. It is an irregular inlet of the Gulf of Alaska on the eastern side of the Kenai Peninsula. The area has more tidewater glaciers flowing into the sea than any other in Alaska. Chunks of glaciers break off and fall into the sea—a process known as “calving”—giving the water its icebergs. The mountainous backdrop, glaciers, fjords, and icebergs make it a tourist favorite.
